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Here is Molly’s story or at least what I know of her story . I don’t know why someone starved her, if it was an illness, job loss or just plain irresponsible behavior.  I am normally a frugal person. I make every effort to keep my farm sustainable on a limited income by keeping my herds of animals in check and not going crazy with too many (yes I have been known to have too many). BUT, I saw Molly on a Facebook page she was a slaughter bound horse. Her eyes spoke to me across the virtual miles and my heart yearned to bring her home it was an instant connection for me and her last chance before being shipped to Mexico for slaughter. So money earmarked for  home improvement projects was spent and Molly came home. She is beyond thin, sick with shipping fever and looks pitiful however, in the week she has been here I have seen progress she eats now with gusto and looks forward to our time together.  I just know that in that skinny beaten down horse is a wonderful mare with a strong spirit that will come out in due time. Her manners are fantastic she lays her head across me as if she is saying thank you. I hope you will join along with me and follow her progress. I will post new pictures along the way. I believe in second chances for people and horses. I am thankful for second chances I have had in my life. I am thankful for Gods grace and the blessing of the horses he puts in my path. I keep wondering about Molly’s story and her past life but more importantly I am looking toward her future and the new chapter we will write here on Sugar Creek.

Spring is a time of renewal and all things seem new and fresh, but after 40+ years of gardening, I have a few tried and true things I simply must plant every year. Mostly because I can or freeze them to prepare meals year-round and they are superior to anything I can buy in the grocery store.
1. Tomatoes: Absolutely! an assortment I love the heirloom varieties pink and red Brandywine being my personal favorite however, I grow a wide variety of red, yellow and green heirlooms all yummy in salads. For canning and freezing into sauces I prefer the paste tomatoes. For snacking the tommy toe and pear varieties.
2. Beans: Green bush beans for eating all through the summer months (they are so easy to freeze). Pole beans that grow tall and must be staked for fresh eating and canning. Scarlett runner beans for the beautiful flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies and are delicious as canned beans.
3. Cayenne Peppers: For use in soups and pasta dishes. For use dried and ground in sore muscle salves and I just love how beautiful they are dried and strung.
4. Sweet Corn: Love it roasted on the grill. Corn is so easy to freeze I grow two varieties an early corn and a later variety to enjoy all season.
5. Summer Squash: I always have crook neck yellow squash and patty pan whites. They freeze or can for stews or pickles.
6. Winter Squash: My favorites are Bush Buttercup, Red kuri, sweet dumpling, hubbard and cushaw They all keep well in the root cellar and are delicious in soups, baked or in pies
7. Pumpkins: I love to grow pumpkins decorative and eating varieties. If I am short on space I have them climb a trellis.
8. Greens: Mustard, turnip, kale and spinach all are in my garden I keep cutting and harvesting all season.
9. Basil: I always grow the sweet and Genovese varieties for salads and pesto.
10. Sunflowers: They are easy and so happy in the garden. I dry the heads and feed the birds in winter.